Show ContentsDenty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the bearers of the Denty family name are thought have lived in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. They were first found in Daventry, a town in Northants (now Northampton). The place-name was rendered as Daventrei in the Domesday Book, [1] a census and survey taken by William the Conqueror in 1086. The place-name Daventry is derived from the Old English personal name Dafa, and means "tree of a man called Dafa, Dafa's tree." It is interesting to note that the pronunciation of the placename Daventry is not as it would appear. Locals pronounce Daventry as Daintree, giving rise to the many variations of this name that are found. Another source has a different understanding about the origin of the place name. "The British name of this place, Dwy-Avon-Tre, 'the town of two Avons,' from which its present appellation is derived, originated in its situation between the source of the river Leam, which falls into the Western Avon, and the river Nene, anciently styled the Aufona. " [2]

Early Origins of the Denty family

The surname Denty was first found in Northampton at Daventry, a market-town, a parish, and the head of a union, in the hundred of Fawsley.

Early History of the Denty family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Denty research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1140, 1296, 1349, 1373 and 1400 are included under the topic Early Denty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Denty Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Denty include Daventry, Daintry, Dainty, Dantry, Dantye and others.

Early Notables of the Denty family

More information is included under the topic Early Denty Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Denty migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Denty Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth Denty, aged 21, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Coromandel" [3]


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. South Australian Register Tuesday 9th January 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Coromandel 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/coromandel1855.shtml


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